November is
National Family Caregivers Month, and we asked Bruce Roosa to offer a few reflections. Bruce is currently a
Legacy Advisory Board Member as well as a facilitator of the
Caregiver Support Group.
My wife, Barb, and I were caregivers for two years for my mother, Tillie
Roosa. My mom suffered dementia; she passed away at
Pioneer Manor in December of 2012. We learned on the fly, and we made mistakes, but
in the end we took comfort in having done the job well. If we knew then
what we know now, the job would have been a lot easier.
Who are caregivers? We are servants to those we love, and ushers to a better
place. Caregiving is transformational; it is as important to the caregiver
as it is the care receiver. It teaches us the fragility that is life,
and that each moment is precious. Caring for a parent can bring memories,
a few regrets, and the knowledge that we shouldn’t waste even one
moment on strife and anger. Care for another is hard work, but brings
a reward that can’t be sought or captured anywhere else; it must
be experienced.
During our experience we thought we were the only ones going through this.
We’ve since learned that although everyone’s story is different,
each includes similarities. So, in 2014 a support group began to organize,
to share stories and help each other; it's is called the
Caregiver Support Group. We have two facilitators, Janet Kobielusz, a fellow traveler on this
path, and me. Our caregiver support group meets the second and fourth
Tuesday of each month. We are currently in the Ground Floor Conference
Room at Campbell County Memorial Hopsital, just off the Cafeteria. Meeting
time is from 6:30-8 pm, and the group is a drop-in setting. For more information,
call or text Bruce Roosa at 307.689.6705, or call Janet at 307.660.7194.
I leave you with this: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when
necessary, use words.” St. Francis of Assisi